World Cup winners Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Geoff Hurst laced up their boots for a kickabout at a new ‘home from home’ for the families of seriously ill children.

The former England team-mates were the surprise guests at the topping out ceremony for the Ronald McDonald House in Manchester. They laid the final piece on the roof meaning the 60-bedroom house is almost complete.

The building will allow parents of sick children being treated at the nearby Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital to stay overnight, free of charge from next spring.

The project is costing £7.5m to build, with an additional £500,000 a year in running costs, funded by Ronald McDonald House Charities and donations.

Around 140,000 children pass through the doors of the children’s hospital each year. Many of their parents have to pay to stay in hotels.

Sir Geoff met United legend Sir Bobby on the site and both men pledged their support to the charity. Sir Geoff praised the charity as ‘fantastic’, adding: “They are providing free facilities alongside Manchester children’s hospital so parents can be close to their children.

“The philosophy of the charity is that a child in hospital should have their family close by.”